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0x8000ffff in Windows Update [SOLVED]

Don’t hesitate to use specialized tools to repair your PC

7 min. read

Updated onSeptember 17, 2024

updated onSeptember 17, 2024

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Key notes

With Windows 10 and 11, updates have become essential to everyday computer use. To achieve maximum safety and smooth work, Microsoft creates new builds based on feedback from Windows Insiders.

However, with many new features, you may have an extra one or two issues.Error 0x8000ffffappears mostly when you try to do a standard update or update some Windows features or apps in the Store.

Furthermore, it may appear after thesystem restore. So, if you’re facing this update issue, we’ve prepared some workarounds for you to resolve the problem.

What does error 0x8000ffff mean?

There are different causes of this error. Most of the time, it occurs because of a virus infection orfaulty drivers. Or maybe just a defective app.

Error 0x8000ffff can be problematic and prevent you from installing updates on your PC.

Speaking of update errors, here are some issues reported by users:

Regardless of the variation or the cause, we will show you some of the best solutions.

How do I fix error code 0x8000ffff in Windows Update?

1. Repair your PC with specialized software

If you’re having issues with download error 0x8000ffff, the problem might be caused by system corruption, and this is where areliable repair toolcan come in handy.

2. Scan your PC with Windows Security or 3rd party antimalware software

The first step in this situation is performing a full scan. After that, you can use either Windows Defender or a 3rd party software.

Although Windows Defender is a solid antivirus, third-party antivirus tools might offer certain features that Windows Defender lacks.

If you’re looking for new antivirus software, we would have to recommendESET HOME Security Essential.

⇒ESET HOME Security Essential

3. Check files integrity with the SFC tool

If an SFC scan doesn’t fix your problem, or if you can’t start an SFC scan, you should try performing a DISM scan instead by running the script below:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth/

DISM scan can take about 20 minutes, sometimes more, so try not to interfere or interrupt it.

Once the DISM scan is finished, check if the problem is resolved. If not, or if you couldn’t run an SFC scan before, be sure to try rerunning the SFC scan.

Sometimes, the system files may get corrupted due to virus infections or even unapparent reasons, and you may encounter download error 0x8000ffff.

4. Set the correct Date & Time and log in as Admin

A wrongly set date or time can cause many issues, especially with the Windows Store and its respective apps. So, set up a valid date and time to update apps and bypass the error.

After doing that, your date and time will be updated. You can manually adjust the date and time from this window if you want.

Once your date is corrected, try to perform the update again and check if error 0x8000ffff is still there.

5. Reset Store cache

After the cache is cleared, you should be able to install/update apps without0x8000fffferror.

6. Boot in a Safe Mode with Networking

If some drivers or Windows features are incorrectly installed, they can interfere with an update sequence.

We advise you to try andboot the PC in Safe modewith Networking and try updating. After that, the download error 0x8000ffff should be gone.

7. Remove problematic applications

To uninstall a problematic application, we recommend using uninstaller software. If you’re unfamiliar, uninstaller software is a unique application that can remove any program from your PC.

In addition to removing the selected application, these tools will remove all associated files and registry entries.

As a result, there won’t be any leftover files remaining that can interfere with your system.

There are many great uninstaller applications, butIobit Uninstalleris the best, so feel free to try it out.

Once you remove the problematic application, check if the problem is resolved.

8. Create a new administrator account

Now you need to convert your new account to the administrator account. This is quite simple, and you need to do the following:

Now sign out of your current account and switch to the new account. After doing that, try to update again.

Sometimes error 0x8000ffff can appear due to your user account.

If your user account is corrupted or you don’t have administrative privileges, you won’t be able to update your Windows.

9. Perform an in-place upgrade

Once the installation is finished, you’ll have the latest version of Windows installed with all the necessary updates.

If other solutions don’t work, your only option might be performing an in-place upgrade.

Doing so will force Windows 10 to upgrade to the latest version while keeping all your files and applications.

Why is Windows 10 failing to update?

There are a few causes, but the most common include:

Using the solutions we have suggested, you should be able to solve any issues of failed updates on your computer.

That is it for this article; you should not have successfully resolved error code 0x8000ffff on Windows 10 and 11.

These were our possible workarounds for your issue. We certainly hope you’ll find them helpful. Note that we have not written these solutions in any particular order.

Please tell us in the comments section if you have additional solutions or related questions.

0x8000ffff in Windows Update [SOLVED]#

What does error 0x8000ffff mean?#

How do I fix error code 0x8000ffff in Windows Update?#

1. Repair your PC with specialized software#

2. Scan your PC with Windows Security or 3rd party antimalware software#

3. Check files integrity with the SFC tool#

4. Set the correct Date & Time and log in as Admin#

5. Reset Store cache#

6. Boot in a Safe Mode with Networking#

7. Remove problematic applications#

8. Create a new administrator account#

9. Perform an in-place upgrade#

Why is Windows 10 failing to update?#